Labour leadership contest: Caroline Lucas proposes electoral pact with Jeremy Corbyn
Greens may be uncomfortable given Mr Corbyn’s support for coal industry
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Green Party has opened the door to an electoral pact with Labour if Jeremy Corbyn wins the party’s leadership race.
In an extraordinary open letter to Mr Corbyn, published in The Independent, the Greens' only MP, Caroline Lucas, fulsomely praised his campaign and suggested that the two parties should join together and not field candidates against each other in 2020.
But her endorsement will be controversial, not only in Labour circles but also her own party. The Greens saw their share of the vote increase by nearly three per cent at the last election – mainly at the expense of Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
Many Greens will be uncomfortable at the idea of standing aside to help Labour candidates win – especially given Mr Corbyn’s support for Britain’s coal industry.
However, in her letter Ms Lucas said she had “never felt so optimistic about a potential leader of the Labour Party” and called for a new “progressive” alliance to defeat the Conservatives. Last night no-one from the Green Party was available to confirm whether her comments reflected party policy. Although she is the most senior elected Green Party member, the leadership is currently held by Natalie Bennett.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments